Jeffrey D. Bridgewater

Jeff Bridgewater was born on December 15, 1952, to Robert Lee and Mary Myers Bridgewater

in Bloomington, Indiana. He grew up as the middle child alongside his older brother Steve, older

sister Robin, and younger brother Scott. As a boy in Indiana, Jeff worked his first job as a

paperboy, saving diligently to buy a banana-seat bike with high handlebars so he could ride

around with the girls. The Bridgewater family later moved to Abilene, Texas, and after the

passing of his father, again relocated to Austin in 1969 to be closer to relatives.

Jeff embraced Austin's free-spirited energy during the era of Free Love, having more than his

fair share of fun and mischief. He earned his GED and went on to study at Southwest Texas

State University (now Texas State University), where he earned a bachelor's degree in City

Planning. His early college years were focused more on adventure than academics - including

a spring break trip to New Orleans that turned into an unplanned year-long stay. Eventually, Jeff

found his focus and graduated with honors. During his college years, Jeff began conducting

group therapy with juvenile offenders. Having once been a restless teen himself, he connected

deeply with the young people he mentored and inspired them to take a better path forward.

Jeff's adventurous spirit led him to Mexico on what was supposed to be a one-week vacation,

but it instead became a five-year sabbatical and a new chapter in his life. He fell in love with the

culture (and "butchered the Spanish language," as he would say), eventually settling in San

Miguel de Allende. There, he fell in love with his former wife, Fátima, and they married on

Valentine's Day 1995. Over a year later, their daughter Valeria - his "angel mexicana" - was

born. Becoming a father was one of Jeff's greatest joys. Those who knew Jeff knew how deeply

he loved Valeria, the inspiration of his life. He was the loudest parent in the stands, cheering her

on at every stage of her life, endlessly proud to be her dad.

Jeff worked in construction for over 40 years. After college, when his mother urged him to find a

"real job," he spotted a newspaper ad for a construction manager position that required no

experience. That chance discovery marked the beginning of his lifelong career. After returning to

Austin in 1998, Jeff worked for Toll Brothers before following his entrepreneurial instincts to start

his own company, Bridgewater Homes, in 2003. He believed that a home was one of the most

important investments in a person's life and took pride in building spaces where families could

create lasting memories. Outside of work, Jeff could often be found doing his "hour power walk"

around Town Lake in Austin, sipping his signature extra hot four-shot espresso lattes, and

spending quality time with his daughter.

Jeff was also known for his generosity. He gave freely to causes that touched his heart. In lieu of

flowers, donations can be made to one of the many causes Jeff supported: Special Olympics,

American Cancer Association, and the Alzheimer's Association.

A celebration of Jeff's life will be held in 2026. Those wishing to join in honoring his remarkable

life are invited to contact his daughter, Valeria Bridgewater, for details at

bridgewatercelebration@gmail.com.